The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-02
BUOHTEL's FIFTEENTH COMMENCE
MENT,

1ne nIteenLn annual commencement
of BUCHTEL COLLEGE, Akron, o., was
held Thursday, June %, under circum-
stances which will be forever memora-
BILE in the history of the College. On
that day the largest class of young men
and women graduated by this Institu-
tion, nineteen in number, went forth
to assume their duties in the world
JOHN r. BUCHTEL, the founder of the
College, was present, the victim of a
paralysis, which renders his left side
entirely helpless, yet clear in mind and
strong in we'll considered philanthropic
purpose, to convey the remainder of his
fortune, and his life insurance policies
to the College which bears his name.
The magnificent gift aggregates S174,-
OO,-$1O0,OOO in bonds, and $74, 400
insurance policies. The bonds of the
Columbus and Hooking Coal and Iron
Company transferred to the College are
first mortage bonds, secured by the val
liable lands of the Company, in Central
Ohio. They were purchased by Mr..
Buchtel when the Syndicate was form
ed, at ninety cents on the dollar, and
are now of their face value. The con-
veyance was made in due form at the
meeting of the Board of Trustees on the
previous day, and accepted subject to
the conditions named in the terms of
the bequest. The full text of the doc
ument appears elsewhere, with the res
olutions adopted, acknowledging this
princely gift.
Mr.. Buchtel thus administers on his
own estate in favor of the College. His
recent paralysis forbids any hope of his
entering again the world of care and
business. He may be spared a few
years, but at his advanced age, recovery
Is impossible. This fact is understood
by no one better than by Mr.. Buchtel
himself. He therefore elects to arrange
his affairs and distribute the balance of
his estate under his own supervision.
He acts wisely. Buchtel College is his
heir, and the institution has already
entered into possession of its heritage.
May the College guard it's sacred trust
and keep green and beautiful the men,
ory of its great founder and constant
friend and benefactor.
Mr.. BUoHTEL's interest in the fif-
teenth Commencement was extraordi-
nary under all the circumstances of his
physical condition. He had looked for
ward to the occasion with almost painful
interest He early expressed desire to
attend the exercises of the week. In
vain were the protests of friends, who
recognized the danger of the strain to q
man in his condition. For weeks he had
been kept as quiet as possible, even his
most intimate friends denied personal in
terviews. Physician and attendants were
constantly with him. By care and atten-
ton his condition measurably improved.
But the strong desire to see once more
the college, to look upon the bright faces
of the young men and maidens-the lat
ter he styles "Buchtel Angels es-
pecially to witness the graduation of the
noble class of '87, and add his words Of
injunction with reference to his last great
| gift,-all these were controlling forces
with him. He would listen to no advice
of contrary nature. He decided, and
there was no moving him from the de-
cision, to take his life in his hand, and 90
to the Commencement if grim Death
struck him then and there Under the
circumstances, even the careful physician
said that to interpose further obstacles
would be more dangerous than to permit
him to undergo the strain. Never was the
characteristic energy and determination
of Buchtel more significantly displayed
than in this remarkable determination to
witness the Commencement exercises, and
to take part once more, in the exercises
of the college which he founded. The
purpose thus formed was carried out; he
began with the Baccalaureate sermon on
Sunday, at the Universalist church.
Thursday, he was carried in his chair by
the students, to the chapel in the fifth
story of the building, and sat for five
hours during the exercises, strain that
even the strongest felt; he witnessed the
enthusiasm that followed the announce
ment of his gift, and heard the cheers that
rose up from the crowded assembly; he
was wheeled to the front of the platform
and spoke for fifteen minutes to his old
friends and neighbors; thence was car
ried to the banquet, where for nearly
three hours more he was present, shar-
ing in the social pleasures Of the occasion.
And all this by a man entirely helpless
from paralysis, to whom another shock
would no doubt prove fatal 1t was
wonderful example of native force and
persistent purpose triumphing over bodi-
ly weakness. 1t may have been accounted
rashness by the more prudent, and there
was undoubtedly great danger in the OK.
perment, but it was heroic nevertheless,
and splendid in its exhibition OF the
strength Of will and original vigor of mind
IN the man. Such a scene as was witness
ed on that occasion in the college chapel,
will live in the memory forever. Great as
the gift of Mr. Buchtel was, the. man rose
above it, and made the occasion the more
memorable.